Ex-Show Promoter Accused of Embezzlement

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (CN) – A concert promoter’s former employee stole tickets for a Chaka Khan and Tyrese concert, sold them and pocketed the money, the owner of the promotion company claims in Monroe County Supreme Court.

John Brown, owner of Extreme Graphix Ink, says his company was hired to promote a July 10 concert featuring Chaka Khan and Tyrese. He allegedly put Curtis Bell in charge of most of the logistics, including TV and radio ads, hotel and travel accommodations, sound and lighting, and tickets. Bell was to be paid $7,500 for his services, Brown says. Weeks before the concert was scheduled to take place, the venue, the Main Street Armory, was shut down by the city of Rochester “for various legal problems,” the lawsuit states. The concert was canceled, Brown says, after the venue’s Ticketmaster outlet had printed “large quantities of tickets.” Bell was in possession of most of those tickets, Brown says, and more than $181,000 in tickets are still unaccounted for, including several pricey VIP tickets. Bell allegedly sold the tickets and kept the profits, undermining Brown and Extreme Graphix’s concert promotion venture. Bell’s actions sabotaged future talent contracts, record promotions and a reality tattoo show Brown hoped to pitch for MTV and VH1, the lawsuit claims. Brown says Bell also failed to reimburse him for more than $157,000 in concert expenses. Brown and his companies, Extreme Graphix Ink and Sniper Inc., demand their money back from the alleged conversion and breach of contract. They are represented by Paul Vacca. The Main Street Armory and Ticketmaster Outlet are also named as defendants.